What would you guys recommend in an UPS, I already know to go with an APC but their site in terms of selecting a UPS isn't much help. So what do you guys use?
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What UPS should I Get for a Mac Pro (early '08)?
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This topic has been discussed before and most favor APC. Personally I think this is a terrific solution that uses on-line double-conversion technology to deliver extremely well controlled power consistently:
http://www.tripplite.com/products/product.cfm?productID=3299
The only downside is that it does use a cooling fan. Not a problem in my case, but if you need a totally silent environment, it could be a deal breaker.
http://www.tripplite.com/products/product.cfm?productID=3299
The only downside is that it does use a cooling fan. Not a problem in my case, but if you need a totally silent environment, it could be a deal breaker.
Here's a very unadorned article but it has lots of good info. See section 2.05 and 2.06 as simple ans to your question. 
http://www.jetcafe.org/npc/doc/ups-faq.html#0201
http://www.jetcafe.org/npc/doc/ups-faq.html#0201
APC Back-UPS RS 1500 LCD
I got the APC Back-UPS RS 1500 LCD. PC Nation has it for around $190 with free 3-day FEDEX. The unit weighs 25 lbs., so free shipping saves you a bundle.
Some people on here have recommended the APC Smart-UPS SC 1500VA because it has better power conditioning, but it's also quite a bit more expensive --- cheapest I found was around $350-375.
The APC Back-UPS RS 1500 LCD connects to your MP via USB. No software installation is required for basic operation. The Energy Saver System Preference automatically recognizes the unit and allows you to configure how you want your Mac to behave when the UPS is running on battery. Very cool.
I got the APC Back-UPS RS 1500 LCD. PC Nation has it for around $190 with free 3-day FEDEX. The unit weighs 25 lbs., so free shipping saves you a bundle.
Some people on here have recommended the APC Smart-UPS SC 1500VA because it has better power conditioning, but it's also quite a bit more expensive --- cheapest I found was around $350-375.
The APC Back-UPS RS 1500 LCD connects to your MP via USB. No software installation is required for basic operation. The Energy Saver System Preference automatically recognizes the unit and allows you to configure how you want your Mac to behave when the UPS is running on battery. Very cool.
When you have a machine running parallels or VM who is "in control" in when the power goes? I assume that Mac OS is the one that commands a shut down but what happens to any data etc on the Windows elements which are open and how does a gentle shut down happen for windows?
Many thanks
Miles
Many thanks
Miles
let the OS X control the UPS
Since VM or Parallels is running as a task under OS X, I only have OS X monitoring my UPS. It will signal the VM host that it is shutting everything down, just as if you shut down OS X while forgetting you had a VM running. Once everything is shut down (including the VM) and stable, OS X will proceed to shut itself down as well. Just make sure you set your UPS to have enough reserve time to complete all this before the UPS shuts off.
-howard
Since VM or Parallels is running as a task under OS X, I only have OS X monitoring my UPS. It will signal the VM host that it is shutting everything down, just as if you shut down OS X while forgetting you had a VM running. Once everything is shut down (including the VM) and stable, OS X will proceed to shut itself down as well. Just make sure you set your UPS to have enough reserve time to complete all this before the UPS shuts off.
-howard
How big is the PSU in the Mac Pro? I'll need to get a UPS too since my apartment sometimes has little power blips that send all my clocks to 12:00. I can only assume that the Mac will spontaneously shut off. That would be bad! So what is the minimum? I plan on buying the Mac Pro with the 8800GT and adding a second hard drive. I know bigger is better, but is 1000 VA good enough?
I got the same thing... just the MP by itself on idle shows a 37 minute uptime... with monitor it drops to 23 minutes. Not too bad. You'll have to download the Powerchute software from their website as the one included on the CD is out of date (severely).
It appears that Aspyr (makers of Rollercoaster Tycoon 3) is partially blaming my APC Software (amidst other software) for preventing my RCT3 from launching. It's a silly accusation as I had gotten my APC after I bought RCT3.
It depends on how often the power outages happen. I've had two power outages probably in the last 2-3 years and my Mac Pro got shut down by both and started up perfectly fine after. I have to say I'm impressed. I even checked the HD with Disk Utility after and the HD was fine. Of course if you have a power outage or brownouts every couple of months it's probably
worth it.
I believe the Mac Pro PSU is a 1000W, isn't it?
It looks like from the above that everyone is getting 1500VA UPSs, and they must have came to this figure by doing the proper calculation or checking the a vendor's website. Some UPS vendor websites have a calculator for this. You wouldn't include printers, scanners and some peripherrals as it's not a problem if these are powered down by the blackout. Not sure if you include the monitor to be covered by the UPS.